Have you Downsized DVC?

[ba6793]

Originally Posted by carolina_yankee

Think about how frequently you are likely to go and what accommodations you need.

Honestly, if we had a small contract, I probably would have kept it and used to for a trip every three years. WE could go more frequently, or less frequently, but that would have worked for us.

My big learning in all of this is to advise newbies, or any owner, really, to get a small contract "just in case."

Dirk

Sage advice. We decided to add a resale today for AKV. I specifically chose a small contract of only 100 points to bring us up to 226 total (126 at Poly for the blue card). It's just enough for a holiday trip every few years and a quick getaway when visiting in-laws each summer or if I want to drive down on my own. We use the rest of our vacation money on other trips, like a cruise to Spain. I don't see us giving up Disney, but I also don't see the value in large contracts for what we get.

[Eeyorelover22]

I always found it annoying having three contracts, but after reading here maybe I’ll be glad we have 160, 100 and 60 at AKV.

[DVCQUEEN]

Originally Posted by Crafty

We looked at the quarter shares on HH. There are some that are really nice. The one in shelter cove has a great location, but also high MFs. It has an additional cleaning fee every time you use it.

For us, the idea of two weeks every two months on HHI was appealing. What we didn’t like was the lack of flexibility. The weeks rotate and are predetermined by the company. We like Halloween on HHI. In the quarter share we wouldn’t be able to get it every year. Maybe only once in 4 years? I’m not sure.

After the flexibility of the DVC, the quarter share seemed restricting. Also, we aren’t interested in trying to rent weeks. Too much hassle.

That left us looking for a cottage. There is not a lot of availability in the area right now. We may have to wait a bit to find the perfect affordable place.

Originally Posted by Lamima

The quarter share dues are high but cover eveything...utilities, taxes, pool, maintenance, internet, renovations, furnishings, insurance...and the buy in is so cheap. Can get for about $20K...some less and some more (2BR). And at the shelter cove one they have management company that rents out for you the weeks you can't use. The Shipyard one, which has its own private gate to beach (2 block walk), they do not rent for you. You have to manage that yourself (some do VRBO) but with the gate and walk to beach that shelter cove does not have...it is easier to rent.

Just food for thought.

But I watch the condo listing too and they are few and far between. When one lists it gets grabbed up super fast. It is a sellers market there for sure.

Yes, HHI is definitely a tough market right now.
The brand new K Hovnanian community Hammock Breeze in Mitchelville is completely sold out, I was shocked.
Bluffton is booming as well.
My Realtor set up a search for lots on Hilton Head Island for me and once COVID hit, I went from 10-15 results a week to the same 5 lots since July.
Many people pulled the trigger on purchasing homes due to extensive virtual work.

I have a realtor I love, but if you decide on a retirement home, gogated realty has very nice YouTube videos of all the area communities and home tours.
I want a home to leave my stuff. Like a big OL.

[Lamima]

Originally Posted by Goofygrl

Solo trips work too if there's that much whining.

sounds A-OK to me.

[Boz]

We are in the process of selling our VGC contract, which will leave us with 500 points. We just don't foresee going to California again, unless it's in our motorhome, in which case we don't need a hotel.

[Lamima]

Originally Posted by DVCQUEEN

Yes, HHI is definitely a tough market right now.
The brand new K Hovnanian community Hammock Breeze in Mitchelville is completely sold out, I was shocked.
Bluffton is booming as well.
My Realtor set up a search for lots on Hilton Head Island for me and once COVID hit, I went from 10-15 results a week to the same 5 lots since July.
Many people pulled the trigger on purchasing homes due to extensive virtual work.

I have a realtor I love, but if you decide on a retirement home, gogated realty has very nice YouTube videos of all the area communities and home tours.
I want a home to leave my stuff. Like a big OL.

We watched some of those YouTube videos. Looked at the 2 big Hardeeville 55+ neighborhoods too. We are only 47 but we could maybe get in...in a couple years. They've gotten pricey though. And so far to the beach. Especially prime season traffic time. One server (who lived out there) said it could take her an hour in traffic. But one could avoid that with timing (given you don't have to go over for a job or anything regularly scheduled).

[Princess Tink]

We have been owners since 2003, with our first purchase at BCV. We then added on around 2007, doubling our points with our purchase at AKV.

We are now empty nesters, with our one and only graduating college in December 2019. We had been pondering selling one contract since before then, but as many know that's a hard choice to make. Instead we planned an extended family trip for June 2020. We know what 2020 brought us! Actually we had 4 trips impacted during the shut down period last year. We went to WDW in September, to prevent a loss of previously banked points. Then came home and discussed the large amount of points we were going to carry into 2021. While we rescheduled the extended family trip, we still couldn't help but feel we just have too many points to manage for just the 2 of us. We enjoy trips, outside of Disney as well!

Dec 28 we finally made the decision to sell AKV. We listed Dec 29, had an offer by Dec 30, and a signed contract by Dec 31! The paperwork was sent to Disney on Jan 1, and today (Jan 14) it passed ROFR.

I'm happy with our decision, as we had a trip planned for my birthday next weekend, and had to cancel due to testing positive for Covid (yesterday). So, yet another trip being rescheduled. But at least I only have to worry about half the points now.

My hats go off to the sponsor of this board, they have been a great help and were quick to answer my questions. I sent 'requests' for information to them as well as another broker, and their helpfulness and communication is the reason i choose them. I would highly recommend them, if you're ever in the market to buy or sell.

[tomandrobin]

Originally Posted by Princess Tink

Dec 28 we finally made the decision to sell AKV. We listed Dec 29, had an offer by Dec 30, and a signed contract by Dec 31! The paperwork was sent to Disney on Jan 1, and today (Jan 14) it passed ROFR.

I'm happy with our decision, as we had a trip planned for my birthday next weekend, and had to cancel due to testing positive for Covid (yesterday). So, yet another trip being rescheduled. But at least I only have to worry about half the points now.

Good luck with the resale!



Hope you have a mild covid experience!

[Princess Tink]

Originally Posted by tomandrobin

Good luck with the resale!



Hope you have a mild covid experience!

Thank you. It wasn’t an easy decision, but ultimately I think we made the right choice. We still have our first love, BCV, and have trips planned throughout the year.

Thank you for the kind thoughts as well. As bad as I felt the last couple of days, I know it could be far worse and am thankful that some symptoms have already lessened. I’m also happy DH and I had a plan in place, in the instance one of us showed symptoms/tested positive. It allowed us to quickly and efficiently act, and so far he hasn’t had any symptoms.